Automation of processes - using scripts in practice

This chapter uses a sample to describe how scripts can be used in conjunction with the TwinCAT/BSD installer. Scripts are extremely useful for automating various tasks related to TwinCAT/BSD systems and the TwinCAT/BSD installer. They can be used to create backups, restore backups, configure the system, perform automatic installations and much more.

This chapter is limited to a scene in which a backup is created automatically from a TwinCAT/BSD system with the aid of a TwinCAT/BSD installer.

Other scenarios for the use of scripts are conceivable. As a reminder, the following table describes in which directory the scripts for each task must be placed in order to function properly.

Proceed as follows:

1. Copy the scripts auto_backup.sh and reboot.sh from the directory \INSTALLER\autorun_samples\auto_backup to the directory \INSTALLER\autorun.
Automation of processes - using scripts in practice 1:

Automation of processes - using scripts in practice 1:

2. Insert the USB stick prepared in this way into an industrial PC.

3. Restart the industrial PC and press [F7] to enter the boot menu. In the boot menu, select the USB stick you want to boot from.

4. The TwinCAT/BSD installer is started and then a backup is created automatically. A backup is generated with a file name from the host name of the system and the current timestamp and stored in the \INSTALLER directory. Interaction with the graphical user interface is not required.

5. In the last step the industrial PC is restarted after the backup with the help of the script reboot.sh.

The backup is saved on the USB stick in the directory \INSTALLER. If a Beckhoff stick is used for this task, it is not necessary to call up the boot menu with [F7]. In the BIOS, Beckhoff USB sticks are set up as the first boot medium by default and are recognized automatically. When a Beckhoff USB stick is inserted, the USB stick is therefore booted directly.